A moody studio recording of Chris Cornell covering Guns N’ Roses‘ “Patience” has emerged in celebration of what would be the late Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog singer’s 56th birthday.
The previously unreleased version — which one can hear toward the bottom of this post — arrived on Monday (July 20) via Cornell’s official website and social media outlets. The track was recorded by Tom Syrowski and mixed by grunge kingpin Brendan O’Brien (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots).
Like Cornell’s cover of Prince‘s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” the Soundgarden frontman’s rendition of “Patience” takes an already ponderous tune and imbues it with a knowing weight. Adorned with percussive loops, synthesizers and drums, Cornell’s voice and acoustic guitar lead the cut.
“His birthday seemed the perfect time to share this and celebrate Chris, his voice, music, stories and art,” a statement says. “It is true a man is not dead while his name is still spoken…and, through his art, an artist’s soul still burns just as bright as ever upon all those that look up to him and his memory. Releasing music that was special to Chris keeps a part of him here with us — his heart and his soul. His love and his legacy.”
Cornell died on May 18, 2017, after his bodyguard found him unconscious in a Detroit hotel room. Soundgarden had played a show the previous evening. The musician’s death was ruled a death by suicide by authorities.
“Patience” originally appeared on Guns N’ Roses’ 1988 GN’R Lies album. The Mike Clink-produced album version was released as a single the following year, backed with Appetite for Destruction‘s “Rocket Queen.”
It’s not the first time this year that the romantic GNR song has received a bit of renewed interest. In January, a Super Bowl commercial for Saint Archer beer featured a stylized version of the track.
Chris Cornell, “Patience” (Guns N’ Roses Cover)
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